Treating gum disease is possible. Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a common infection in the mouth. It damages the soft tissue and the bone supporting the tooth. This bone, called the alveolar bone, is found around the tooth and is critical to the health and structure of the tooth. Gum disease affects both the gum and the alveolar bone. Treating gum disease is easiest in the early stages.
The Four Stages of Gum Disease
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is the most overlooked stage of gum disease. In this stage the gums are inflamed. If plaque is not removed, and it builds up at the gum line, it can inflame the gums. In fact, periodontitis means inflammation around the tooth. It is important to notice if your gums feel irritated or appear red, these could be early signs of gingivitis. The first stage of gum disease is often a result of poor oral hygiene. If bad habits persist, gingivitis advances into the tissues that connects the teeth to the bone.
Bone loss is not uncommon in the second stage of gum disease. Remember the alveolar bone? This bone starts to deteriorate over time. Characteristic symptoms of bone loss include gaps or openings between the teeth. The third stage of gum disease is marked by continued bone loss, even up to 50 percent loss. The fourth stage of gum disease is when the tooth begins to shift around due to bone loss and inflammation. The adult tooth can even be wiggled with your fingers and your gums can be swollen and uncomfortable.
Call Our Office
We want to help you stop early gum disease. We can clean out the bacteria from the pockets around the teeth and prevent further destruction of the bone and tissue. Give our office a call if you suspect you have symptoms of gum disease.